Wire mesh making

ABSTRACT

During each cycle of operation of an automatic wire mesh making machine, a transverse wire is welded to the wrap whereupon the fabric is shifted a predetermined relatively small amount to receive the next transverse wire at the welding station for repetition of the cycle. In the examples of machinery shown herein, the transverse wires are furnished by a mechanism, which, from separate supply reels during each cycle, simultaneously feeds four spaced wires across the warp, one-quarter their required length as measured from an entrance whereat, during each cycle, a different one of said four wires is severed in a predetermined sequence and let free of temporary holding means to be guided towards the welding station. In several apparatus embodiments, the cutoff means is a rotary blade cooperating in succession with the hardened steel bushings which lead the fed wires for temporary hold by clamp forms in which the wires lie loose, or along rows of magnets. In embodiments for working with wire stock heavier than three-sixteenths inch, the cutting is done by individual punches worked by a cam system, or by a traveling ram worked by a cam and an oscillating beam.

linite tates tet Larltin [151 msmw [451 Memawm [54] WIRE MEfiH MAKIING Sam lLarltin, 254 Beach 140th Street, New York, NY. 10028 [22] Filed: Oct. 27, 1969 [21] Appl.No.: 869,571

[72] lnventor:

Primary Examiner-Granville Y. Custer, Jr. Attorney-Friedman & Goodman [57] ABSTRACT During each cycle of operation of an automatic wire mesh making machine, a transverse wire is welded to the wrap whereupon the fabric is shifted a predetermined relatively small amount to receive the next transverse wire at the welding station for repetition of the cycle. in the examples of machinery shown herein, the transverse wires are furnished by a mechanism, which, from separate supply reels during each cycle, simultaneously feeds four spaced wires across the warp, one-quarter their required length as measured from an entrance whereat, during each cycle, a different one of said four wires is severed in a predetermined sequence and let free of temporary holding means to be guided towards the welding station. In several apparatus embodiments, the cutoff means is a rotary blade cooperating in succession with the hardened steel bushings which lead the fed wires for temporary hold by clamp forms in which the wires lie loose, or along rows of magnets. ln embodiments for working with wire stock heavier than three-sixteenths inch, the cutting is done by individual punches worked by a cam system, or by a traveling ram worked by a cam and an oscillating beam.

14 Claims, 20 Drawing Figures PATENTEDmza I972 3,651,834

sum 1 OF 3 INVENIOR, Sam Lorkln,

- M ATTORNEY- WIRE MlESll-I MAKING The present invention relates to automatic machinery for making wire mesh in which the transverse wires, as they are commonly called, are placed in spaced relation across a series of spaced wires arranged as warp and then secured thereto. This mesh, for example, when made of relatively heavy wires, is adapted to be incorporated in concrete structures and imbedded therein.

In one type of machinery, each warp wire which is fed from its own supply roll, lies on a welding electrode which is in its path and fixed at the welding station. There are cooperating movable electrodes associated with means to shift the electrodes to contact and clamp a transverse wire placed on and across the warp at the welding station, whereupon, for a predetermined interval, current is supplied to the electric welding equipment and, thus, cause the wires to be welded where they cross. After such welding operation, while the movable electrodes are returned to their normal raised position, the finished work is shifted a predetermined distance, thus, feeding the warp wires and a new transverse wire is placed across the warp at the welding station for repetition of the cycle of operation. This is repeated again and again for as long as the wire supply lasts.

More particularly, this invention is concerned with, and its principal object, is to provide a novel and improved method and means for automatically placing transverse wires across warp wires at the welding station of automatic machines which produce wire mesh, as the machine requires it, such transverse wires being cut from material therefor. All reference anywhere herein to wire mesh making machines using welding shall be deemed to include machinery of this sort in which the warp and transverse wires are joined in a manner other than by welding, and the mention of a welding station, shall be deemed also to designate a wire-securing station.

In automatically making wire mesh as described, with provision of automatic means to provide a supply of transverse wire as needed, it is evident that for mesh, for example, to be of the width of feet with 6 inch squares, which is a standard size in commerce, a transverse wire provided by the machine, need travel 5 feet across the warp in the time the warp is advanced 6 inches. This still permits tolerable production. If a machine is to be made which is, for example, to make a mesh of the width of feet, with 6 inch squares, then, applying the principle of design of machinery heretofore known to construct such a machine for making such wide width mesh, it would be necessary during each cycle of machine operation that the transverse wire stock would have to be fed to travel 20 feet while the warp is advanced 6 inches. This means that each cycle will require an appreciable time interval and that machine production would of necessity be very low per unit of time and, therefore, not commercially practical.

It is, therefore, another important object of this invention to allow the making of these machines for producing extra wide mesh, by providing novel and improved mechanism for automatically making and supplying the necessary long transverse wires in position as required for the welding station so that machine production is high per unit of time and is commercially profitable. Further, such mechanism can be'employed on present narrower width mesh making machines, to increase their production.

Still, a further object of this invention is to provide novel and improved mechanism of the character described, having the mentioned attributes, and which is simple in construction, reasonable to cost to make, easy to manipulate, and efficient in carrying out the purposes for which it is designed.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent as this disclosure proceeds.

For the practice of this invention, the basic components of the apparatus therefore comprises mechanism to accomplish the following steps of the method taught herein:

a. Feeding simultaneously and equally over and across the warp, a plurality of wires from individual sources of supply to constitute the transverse wires; the amount of feed per cycle of machine operation during which one transverse wire is secured to the warp and the work shifted to receive the next transverse wire, being a length which equals the length of the transverse wire required, divided by the number of said wires fed.

b. Temporarily holding such fed wires in position as they are fed and until cut.

c. Cutting one of the wires per cycle of machine operation,

the one cut, having attained the required full length.

d. Releasing the cut wire from its temporary hold so it is available to be shifted to the welding station.

To aid in the explanation of this invention, an automatic wire mesh making machine employing welding has been chosen as merely illustrative for the incorporation therein of mechanism to accomplish this invention, and in all embodiments shown herein, four wires are chosen to constitute the weft. This invention is applicable in machines in which the wires at their intersections are secured to one another in manners other than by being welded. In all embodiments shown herein, the feeding of the wires is done by powered nipping rollers which are stopped once per cycle of machine operation by electromagnetic clutch and brake means, timely actuated to create a dwell to allow the cutting.

As examples for the practice of this invention, in a first embodiment of apparatus, the four wires are fed by the feed rollers through hardened bushings which are equispaced in a circle through a frame, in a horizontal direction above the warp, between the welding station and the means which advances the work, the latter being the finished fabric. Each wire is led from its related bushing to an individual clamp-like structure across the machine, wherein it lies loose. There is a shaft through the circle center, on which is fixed a radially extend ing cutting blade which cooperates with each bushing in succession, to cut a wire. Said shaft also carries a series of radially extending arms which enter clearance slots through the clamp jaws to release the cut wire and shift it down a chute, from which it is in due course ejected toward the welding station, to which it is attracted by magnets and stopped, to be operated on by the welding means. The manner of shifting an existing transverse wire to the station on the machine where it is to be secured tothe warp, and the means to accomplish such shifting is no part of this invention, for it is well known that in an automatic wire mesh making machine there is a place which a transverse wire first occupies near the securing station, whether it is of hand-loaded supply or made by the machine, and that such machine has a means to shift or transport such wire from such place to the securing station, as needed.

In a second embodiment, the holding means consists of a row of spaced permanent magnets, which serve in place of the aforementioned clamp-like structures, to temporarily hold the fed wire stock, before it is cut. Otherwise, this second embodiment is like the first.

In a third embodiment herein shown, electro-magnets replace the permanent magnets of said second embodiment, and release of a cut wire is effected by opening the circuit which powers the row of magnets holding it.

In a fourth embodiment, the entrance bushings are equispaced along a horizontal line, and each is led into a clamp-like temporary housing in which it remains loose. Each bushing is associated with an individual spring-biased shearing punch, the punches being operated each by one of four respective cams. Such four cams are on a single shaft in phased relation, the shaft making one-quarter turn per cycle of machine operation as does the knife shaft of the first embodiment, so the wire which has attained the required full length is cut off. Ejection of the cut wire from its temporary housing in the clamp-like structure, is effected by having it pushed free of the clamps by the piston rod of a pneumatic cylinder which is timely operated, as would be the circuits of the electro-magnets in the third embodiment.

In a fifth embodiment, instead of having the punches operated by individual cams as is done in the fourth embodiment, there is a ram which travels from punch to punch, operating each of the punches at the required time. The said ram is provided with a swinging bar controlled by an eccentric which makes one revolution per cycle of machine operation. A cam rotating one-fourth of a revolution per cycle of machine operation, controls and determines the punch the ram is at, while movement of the swing bar causes the ram to operate the punch it is at.

In the accompanying drawings forming part of this specifcation, similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the views.

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary diagrammatic view of an automatic machine for making wire mesh employing a first embodiment of apparatus for supplying the transverse wires in accordance with teachings of this invention. Most of the framework, and other parts of the machine, are omitted to attain clarity of illustration.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary diagrammatic top plan view of FIG. 1, including some parts which were omitted in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary diagrammatic elevational view of said machine, showing sufficient of the drive means to aid in the explanation of the operation of the machine.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary diagrammatic elevational view of the machine equipped with a second embodiment of this invention, differing from said first embodiment only in the means for holding the fed wires until they are cut.

FIG. 5 is a similar view showing a third embodiment of this invention which differs from said first embodiment only in the means for holding the fed wires and their subsequent release.

FIG. 6 is an elevational front view of the wire fed means used in said first three embodiments.

FIG. 7 is an elevational rear view of the cutting means used in said embodiments. Also included is the means for releasing the cut wire from its hold after it is cut, which is used in the first and second embodiments aforesaid. The frame of the machine is fragmentarily shown.

FIG. 8 shows a cam-controlled switch arrangement used in the third embodiment shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 9 is a diagram of the electrical circuit involving the switch means shown in FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a diagrammatic enlarged perspective view showing a fourth embodiment of this invention.

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary diagrammatic end view ofFIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is an elevational view of wire feed device used in the embodiments shown in FIG. 10 and in FIG. 15.

FIG. 13 is an end view ofthe rollers ofsaid device.

FIG. 14 shows a series of diagrammatic representations which will be used to explain successive steps in the feeding and cutting ofthe wires which are to constitute the transverse wires for the mesh being manufactured by the machine, occuring in the operation of all embodiments of this invention herein shown.

FIG. 15 is an enlarged rear view of apparatus to be used to operate the cutoff punches in substitution of the series of cams used for such purpose in FIG. 10.

FIG. 16 is an enlarged view of the face ofa cam included in FIG. 15. This is a perspective view.

FIG. 17 is an enlarged fragmentary top plan view ofparts included in FIG. 1.

FIG. 18 is a fragmentary perspective view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 19 is an enlarged fragmentary end view showing the welding station as viewed from the left in FIG. 1.

FIG. 20 is a diagram of the electrical circuit of the welding apparatus included in this machine and of electromagnetic clutch and brake means associated with the wire feeding means in all embodiments of this invention, to accomplish a dwell in the feeding to allow severance of one of the wires per cycle of machine operation.

In the drawings, the machine indicated generally by the numeral 15, is of the class wherein each oflongitudinal wires 16, arranged in the manner of warp, each issuing from a respective supply reel 17, lies on a fixed welding electrode 18 which is in its path of welding station 19. For each fixed electrode, there is a cooperating movable electrode 20, which is to be moved to contact and clamp a transverse wire 21 supplied by my present invention, and placed by a suitable means, on and across all the longitudinal wires 16 at welding station 19, whereupon, for a predetermined interval which may be controlled by a timer 22 in a well known manner, current is supplied to associated electrodes 18 and 20, from the secondary winding 23 of a stepdown transformer 24, whose primary winding 25 is powered by an AC source 27, thus, causing the wires to be welded together where they cross. After each such welding operation, while the movable electrodes 20 are returned to their normal raised position, the finished work is advanced a predetermined distance by the timely operated series of nipping rollers 28, 29, thus, feeding the longitudinal wires 16, while a new transverse wire already across them, is shifted to welding station 19 for repetition of the cycle of operation, again and again for as long as the wire supply lasts.

For each warp wire 16, this particular machine 15 has a unit 33 for the support of which the side frames of the machine, only one ofsuch frames being shown at 35, are spanned by the beams 36 and 37; the beam 36 being in the region of the welding station 19. A description of one such unit will suffice for all of them. The stationary electrode 18 is mounted on the cross beam 36 to support a warp wire 16 thereon. The numeral 38 designates an elongated lever above and along said warp pivotally mounted intermediate its ends at 39 which is an axis pin carried at the lower end of a hanger element, the latter mounted on the crossbeam 37; said lever 38 extending from over the stationary electrode 18, in proximity to the wire straightener 41, which first receives said wire 16 from off its supply reel 17, whence said wire 16 is guided by lying in the annular channel 42 in the cam 43 which is secured to the main shaft 44, and preferably further guided in a slot 45 which is across the lower end of the arm 46, the latter depending from said lever 38. The end of the lever 37, which is at welding station 19, carries the electrode 20 for cooperation with the electrode 18, on the work. The other end of said lever, which is over the said cam 43, carries an upright air cylinder 47, whose piston is indicated at 48. The piston rod 49 terminates in a roller 50, which is a follower contacting the periphery of the cam 43. The intake port 51, at the upper end of the said cylinder, is connected to a source of a controlled supply of compressed air, not shown. The numeral 52 denotes a tension spring biasing the cylinder end of the lever 38 downwards. The arrangement is such, that normally for the cam position, shown in FIG. 1, the electrode 20, which evidently serves as the movable electrode, is above and spaced from the stationary electrode 18. Of importance to note is that the main shaft 44 makes one revolution per cycle of machine operation, and that near welding station 19 a mechanism is included which is for the automatic manufacture of transverse wires in accordance with the teachings of this invention; such mechanism being for occupancy in the region A" which in the FIGS. 1 and 2, is indicated generally by the numeral 60.

It is evident that this wire mesh making machine 15, demands that one transverse wire 21, shall be manufactured during each cycle of operation. If during the allowed time during a cycle it is practical at most to feed transverse wire material across the machine a length of 5 feet to effect a commercially profitable production, and the mesh width wanted is 20 feet, then, I have provided means to feed four wires simultaneously across the warp at the rate of 5 feet per cycle, and to cut only one of them per cycle. If the mesh width is to be 15 feet, I require means to feed three of such wires, and if 10 feet, I would have only two wires. The number of wires may be two or more.

In each of the embodiments herein illustrated, there is a means to simultaneously equally feed by powered pinch rollers, four wires from independent supply reels, through spaced bushings mounted through the side frame 35, and, thence, straight across the machine along paths presenting temporary holding means, from which said wires are released upon being out; there being cutting means which cooperate with said bushings, to sever one of said wires per cycle, which is then guided towards welding station 19.

In each of the embodiments indicated generally by the numerals 60, 70 and 80, I have provided for the use of four wires 61, 62, 63 and 64, which come off independent supply reels 61, 62', 63 and 64' respectively; such wires entering the machine through the horizontally positioned, hardened steel bushings 65, 66, 67 and 68 respectively, which are fixed and equally spaced around a circle, through the side frame 35, and thence said wires travel into transverse positions at which they are temporarily held, until they are severed; each wire being released upon its severance for guidance towards the welding station 19. In the embodiment 60, the holding means constitute the clamp-like housings 71, 72, 73 and 74, which loosely receive said wires. In the embodiment 70, said holding means are provided by permanent magnets 69, while in the embodiment 80, electro-ma'gnets 75 are employed and controlled as shown by the circuit indicated at 76. In each of these embodiments, 60, 70 and 80, up against the back of the wall 35, there is a blade 77 fixed on a shaft 70 whose axis is the center of said circle; said shaft constantly rotating at onefourth of the speed of the cam shaft 44, and said blade cooperating with said bushings to cut one of said wires per cycle; such cut wire having reached fully across the machine to its needed length. Said wires are fed from said supply reels by power-driven nipping rollers arranged preferably in an assembly indicated generally by the numeral 79.

This wire feeding device 79 comprises four horizontal shafts 139-142, equispaced one above the other and journaled for rotation on the spaced frames 143, 143' which are mounted on the frame 35 of the machine. Each such shaft carries an identical gear 144, and a pair of grooved identical nipping wheels 145, 145 spaced therealong. All the gears are in meshed engagement, and corresponding wheels cooperate as nipping rollers. Dimensions are such that the wires 61-64, off the supply reels, will pass through the passages offered at 146-149 respectively and, thence, directly straight into the bushings 65-68 respectively. One of these shafts is provided with a drive sprocket 150, but said shaft has interposed therein, the electromagnetic clutch 122 and is subject to the electromagnetic brake 123. The nipping wheels on the uppermost and lowermost shafts 139 and 142 are preferably resiliently mounted by being tight on rubber sleeves as indicated at 152, 152' to take care of variance in the thickness of commercial wire stock.

For the embodiments 90 and 100, the feeding device is denoted generally by the numeral 97 which comprises two shafts journaled on frames as carrying identical gears 153 in engagement, and each shaft has thereon four equispaced nipping wheels cooperating as nipping rollers offering passages 154-157 to the wires fed off the supply reels from where they are directed straight through the bushings 65'68' respectively. The driven shaft 158, in like manner as in the feeding device 79, has interposed therein an electromagnetic clutch and is subject to an electromagnet brake, as shown in association in 79. The numeral 152 denotes a rubber sleeve on which the upper nipping rollers are tightly mounted.

In each of the embodiments 90 and 100, the bushings are arranged in a horizontal line where they are indicated by the respective numerals 65, 66', 67 and 68'. Here, the cutting is done by individual spring-biased punches 81, 82, 83 and 34 which, in the embodiment 90, are operated by the cams 91,

'92, 93 and 94 respectively to cooperate with their associated bushings to effect wire severance; said cams being arranged 90 out of phase, respectively, on a common shaft 94' which is driven at one-fourth the speed of the cam shaft 44. In the embodiment 100, said punches are operated by a traveling ram 95 which is controlled by a mechanism indicated generally by the numeral 96. In these embodiments 90 and 100, the wires are fed off their supply reels by the feeding device 97. Said punches are on the rear of the frame 35.

It is to be noted, that in all of said embodiments, the wirefeeding nipping rollers have a dwell period in each cycle of machine operation to halt wire feeding during a severance of one of them, as will be explained, this being the function ofthe electromagnetic clutch and brake aforementioned.

In the embodiment 100, the operation of the ram 95, as mentioned, is accomplished by the mechanism 96 which is at the back surface of the frame 35. The beam 99 is pivoted intermediate its ends on an axis 98 which is on a support 101 fixed on said frame. This beam makes one oscillation per cycle of machine operation for its is so moved at one end by the eccentric means 102 driven by the main shaft 44. The numeral 103 denotes an upright slide connected by a link 104 to the other end of said beam; said slide being engaged in a fixed track 105. The ram 95 is pivoted at its upper end at 106 to the lower end of said slide 103. Said fixed support 101 carries a downward arm 107 pivoted thereto at 103; the lower end of such arm, terminating in a clevis 109, between those arms in a roller 110 carried on a horizontal slide 111, which is engaged in a fixed track 112, said slide 111 crosses the clevis arms and terminates with a foot 113 which bears against a roller 114 which is on a lateral extension 115 fixed to the ram 95; such contact with the roller being maintained by a stressed spring 1 16, connecting said clevis and said lateral extension. There is a cam indicated generally as 117, on a shaft 118, which is driven at a speed of one-fourth that of the main shaft; such cam being intermediate the arm 107 and the slide 111; said arm 107 carrying a fixed element 1 19 which is a follower constantly bearing against said cam 117 by virtue of the tensed coil spring 120. The numerals 81-84 denote the punches which are spring-biased to a normal upward position, above 65'68, which denote the bushing fixed through the frame 35 with which said punches cooperate respectively toserve the wires as they attain full length across the machine. When the cam 117 is in the position shown in FIG. 16, the ram 95 is at the punch 84 ready to effect the cutting of the wire through the bushing 65, when the electro-flutghm operated to open and the electro-brake 123 is operated to be on," by action of the cams 124, 125, which operate the microswitches 126, 127; such cams being on a shaft 128 which turns one revolution per cycle of machine operation and so arranged that when the clutch is open, the brake is on so that wire travel through the feeding device 97 stops and the cutting takes place, and when the clutch is closed, the brake is off, whereupon, said feeding device again operates. The said embodiments and 100 are especially recommended for working with wire stock heavier than three-sixteenth inch and, of course, are suitable for lighter stock.

The cam 117 included in the embodiment 100 has four steps, each extending along one-fourth of the periphery. The first step is of the radius R which, when contacted by the cam follower 1 19, will have the ram positioned directly over the punch 61. The second step is of the radius R which, when contacted by said follower, will have the ram positioned directly over the punch 82. The third step is of the radius R" which, when contacted by said follower, will have the ram positioned directly over the punch 83. The fourth step which is of the radius R' which, when contacted by said follower, will have the ram positioned directly over the punch 84. On leaving the last step, said follower will come onto the first step, whereupon, the ram is returned to be directly over the punch 81 again. During each cycle of machine operation, a different one of these steps is in contact with said follower and, hence, the ram is at a different punch. During each cycle, the swing of the beam 99 causes the ram to operate the punch it is at.

As shown in FIG. 3, the numeral 85 designates a gear on the main shaft 44, engaging a much smaller gear 85', for speed reduction, said smaller gear driven by an electric motor 87, preferably associated with a speed adjustment means 88. The numeral 89 designates the drive shaft for the wire feed device 79 when either of the embodiments 60, 70 or 80 are used, or 97 when either of the embodiments 90 or are used. The shaft marked 8" denotes either the blade shaft 78 for the embodiments 60, 70 and 80, or the shaft from which the shaft 94' of the embodiment 90 will be driven by mitre gears, not shown, since the position of said shaft 94' is perpendicular to shaft 8", or said shaft S denotes the cam shaft 118 when the embodiment 100 is used. As mentioned, the speed of the shafts 78, 94, 118 must be one-fourth the speed of the shaft 44 on which is the sprocket 44'; such speed reduction being shown by having the sprocket 129 four times the size of the sprocket 130, which latter is on a shaft 130' driven at the same speed as the shaft 44. The cam shaft 128 is also driven at the same speed as the shaft 44. Such drives are by endless sprocket chains 131, 132 and 133. The speed of the shaft 89 driving the feeding means for the transverse supply wires during the interval it is rotated per cycle of machine operation, shall be such that from the wire supply reels 6164, the amount of feed from each, shall be one-fourth of a required complete length for a transverse wire 21. The numeral 160 indicates a speed changer to regulate the speed of the shaft 89.

After a wire is cut, it is released from the means holding it, and is permitted to fall on and across the warp for transport to the welding station. In embodiment 60, each of the clamp forms 8l-74 comprise ajaw 161 which is fixed to frame, and a hinged jaw 162 biased by bow springs 163, to keep the clamp closed. These clamps extend across the machine, and each receives one of the wires being fed off the supply reels into a groove as 164 in which it lies loose. The blade shaft 78 extends across the machine, and carries a plurality of aligned ejector rods 165, in respect to which the blade 77 is a bit in advance, so the wire is cut before these rods open the clamp and eject the cut wire whereupon it falls towards the warp to which it is guided by a series of fixed guide wires as 166, 167, so it shall come into a delivery chute 168 for ejection towards welding station 19. The ejector rods 165 first pass through clearance slots 169 in the fixed jaw, and then push the movable jaw of the clamp to open the clamp, whereupon said rods continuing their movement, shift the cut wire out ofits clamp from which, in its fall, is guided to the chute 168 by said stationary guide wires 166 and 167 arranged in rows in which they are spaced so as not to interfere with the movement of the said ejector rods. The falling cut wire is further guided in its downward travel to said chute, by the slanted floor of the bin 172 which serves as the frame for supporting the stationary parts of the clamps. In the embodiment 70, where the fed wires run along and are held by the rows of permanent magnets 69 respectively, the only function of the ejector rods is to shift the cut wire away from the magnets holding it and, thus, it is released to fall. In the embodiments 90 and 100, which are either shown or described as using the clamp forms as the holding means for the wires being fed through the bushings until cut, the clamp opening and cut wire ejector means may be by providing each clamp with pneumatic cylinders as indicated at 173, 174, whose piston rods 175 serve as the clamp openers and cut wire ejectors, each such cylinder being associated with a control valve 176, operated by a solenoid as indicated at 177; said solenoids being timely actuated, as will be explained.

In the embodiment 80, which utilizes electro-magnets 75 in place of the permanent magnets 69 of the embodiment 70, the release of the cut wire is effected by deenergizing the row of magnets holding the wire just out, by utilizing the circuit shown in FIG. 9, which employs four normally closed microswitches, namely, 178 which is in the a" branch consisting of one row of magnets 75, and the switches 179, 180 and 181 which are in the other branches b, c and d respectively, each branch consisting of one of the rows of magnets successively. In each of said four branches, the magnets thereof and their controlling switch are in series as a group; all of said groups being connected in parallel across the mains at G and H, which points of connection are shown in FIG. 20. The said switches 178181 are controlled to open one at a time by the cam 170 as shown in FIG. 8, which cam is on the shaft 171 driven at the same speed as the knife shaft 78 by chain and sprocket means indicated at 182.

It should be noted that the control circuit for the scheme of solenoids 177 arranged in branches controlled by individual switches which are cam controlled by the means as in FIG. 8, would when illustrated, are exactly as shown in FIG. 9, except that the solenoids replace the electromagnets in such wiring diagram and, therefore, such circuit diagram need not be repeated. It should also be noted that since the embodiment effects release of the cut wire by electrical control means, it is evident that the ejector rods 165 are omitted in said embodiment.

It is evident that in the embodiments illustrated, the cut transverse wire when released to fall from its temporary holding or support, is guided by the mentioned guides and by the slanted bottoms of the bins as 172, 137, 138 and 159 so such guided wire will come to lie horizontally in the chute as 168 from which it is ejected by some means, as the piston rods of a line of cylinders, only one of which is shown at 134, which ejector means is timely operated, so as needed, one transverse wire will be shifted towards welding station. Such ejector means being no part of this invention, and well known, is believed to need no further explanation or illustration. The shifted wire traveling along the warp is attracted by the permanent magnets 135 and, thus, sided to come to the stops 136, to be dealt with in the welding operation which follows. If desired, it is suggested that the arrangement may be such that the transverse wire when cut, is permitted to fall onto an incline extending short of the welding station, whence it will come to the stops 136, for the welding action. None of this latter arrangement is shown, because it is no part of this invention and can be readily understood and supplied without further illustration by those versed in this art and, further, the manner, means and transport of a transverse wire being known, whether supplied ready-cut into a hopper, or made by the machine, it is believed that no further showing is required. The bins 137 and 138, which support the magnetic holding means, may be tubular and, of course, are made ofa nonmagnetic material, as brass or aluminum.

FIG. 14 illustrates the successive steps occuring in the manufacture of transverse wires when the machine 15, equipped with any of the embodiments 60, 70 or 80, is set up for operation. It is to be noted that after the first few cycles of operation, the blade 77 will be in position to cut the wire 61 which is through the bushing 65, and has come to rest; such wire having been fed during the last four cycles, so it has attained the length of a required transverse wire. The wire 62 will then be three-fourths of the required length, the wire 63 will be one-half of such required length, and the wire 64 will be one-fourth of such required length, as shown in the upper diagram marked I. During the next cycle of machine operation, the blade will cut the wire 62 of diagram II. But, during such next cycle, each Wire has been increased in length onefourth the length of a required transverse wire. Hence, in diagram II, wire 61 will be one-fourth, wire 62 will be fourfourths, wire 63 will be three-fourths and wire 64 will be onehalf of the required length. During the ensuing cycle, the blade 77 will cut the wire 62 and proceed to the position where it is ready to cut the wire 63. But, during such ensuing cycle last mentioned, the wires will have assumed the lengths shown in diagram III, where the wire 51 is one-half, wire 62 is onefourth, wire 63 is full length offour-fourths and wire 64 is onehalf the required full length of a transverse wire. In the next cycle, the blade will cut the wire 63 and, as shown in diagram IV, the wire 61 will be three-fourths, wire 62 will be one-half, wire 63 will be one-fourth and the wire 64 will be four-fourths of the length of a required transverse wire. During the next cycle, the blade will cut the wire 64 and the wires will assume the lengths they are respectively shown to be in diagram I, and the blade will be ready to cut the wire 61. The described routine repeats itself for as long as the supply lasts and, as is well known, the supplies are prolonged by weld splices to new supply reels to continue production.

In FIG. 3, the numeral 55 denotes a uni-directional clutch permitting the work-advancing roller shaft carrying the nipping rollers 28 and 29 only in counterclockwise rotation. The drive gear 56 of said clutch is in meshed engagement with the rack 57 which is slidably mounted on the supports 58, and driven by the pitman 59, from the gear which is on the main shaft 44. Change of the extent of movement of the rack may be effected by changing the point of attachment of the pitman to said gear by preventing holes in said gear at different distances from the center of the shaft 44, one such hole shown at 26.

In the wiring diagram of FIG. 20, the circuit is shown to include the welding electrodes of only twelve units 33, there being one stepdown transformer 24 for each four such units. All movable electrodes are shown in groups of four in one horizontal lane in said diagram, while all fixed electrodes 18 are similarly shown in a lower horizontal lane. All four mova ble electrodes of each group respectively, are connected to one terminal of the secondary winding 23 of the related transformer. All four stationary electrodes of each group respectively, are connected to the other terminal of the secondary winding. All primary windings 25 of all the transformers, controlled by a timer 22, are connected across the mains 31, 32 of the AC source 27, which is applied to the circuit by closing the switch 30. The circuit of the electromagnetic clutch 122, and its control switch 126, is connected across the mains 31, 32 and so is the circuit of the electromagnetic brake 123 and its control switch 127. Since the machine will usually have more units 33, their electrodes would be grouped, as shown, with their own transformers primary windings across the lines 53, 54, which is believed understood without further illustration.

A complete cycle of operation of the machine 15, equipped with the transverse wire-making mechanism 60, as shown in FIG. 1, is accomplished during every revolution of the main shaft 44, which rotates counterclockwise. At the commencement of a chosen cycle, the condition of the machine is substantially that shown in FIG. 1, and it is assumed that at such commencement, the condition of the apparatus 60 is as shown at I in FIG. 14. At the commencement of this cycle, a transverse wire 21 is in position across the longitudinal wires 16, at the welding station 19, ready to be welded at their intersections. The high point of the cam 43 is to the right. In each unit 33, the cam follower 50 is at is lowest position. The movable electrodes 20 are at their raised positions above the fixed electrodes 18. The work-feeding rollers 28, 29 have come to rest because the uni-directional mechanical clutch 55 has become inactive since the pitman 59 is at dead center and for the first half of the cycle to occur, the rack 57 will be moved toward the left, so said rollers will remain at rest for said clutch 55 will be disengaged. The main switch 30 is, ofcourse, in closed condition so the motor 87 is running. The shafts 44, 89, 78 and 128 are in constant rotation in counterclockwise direction. The electromagnetic clutch 122 is open because its controlling switch 126 is open. The electromagnetic brake 123 is on because its controlling switch 127 is closed, so the feeding of the wires 61-64 has stopped to give a dwell period, to allow cutting by the blade 77. A supply of compressed air is constantly directed into the cylinders 47. The blade 77 is ready to cut the wire 61 which has attained the required full length.

It is to be noted that the variances at the commencement of this cycle, with respect to the specific showing of the machine condition in FIGS. 1 and 3, are that in the drawing, the cutting blade 77, in FIG. 1, is shown as not having reached cutting position at the clamp form 71 as in I, FIG. 14, and that the pitman 59 is shown in FIG. 3 as being beyond dead center. These variances were made in order to attain clarity of illustration.

The cycle of operation now commences. The blade 77, in cooperation with the bushing 65, which it pass and frictionally wipes, severs the wire 61, whereupon, the ejector rods 165 open the clamp 71 and force the cut wire to fall and, thereupon, such falling wire will be guided by the wires 166 and the slanted bottom wall of the bin 172 to enter the shute 168. As soon as this ejection has occured, the rotation of the cams 124, 125 will close the switch 126 and open the switch 127 respectively, whereupon, the clutch 122 will be on and the brake 123 will be off, so the feeding device 79 will operate and feed the wires from the supply rolls, so by the end of this cycle, said wires will have assumed the lengths as shown in II, FIG. 14. While this is taking place, the earns 43 will cause the piston rods 49 to rise, whereupon, the levers 38 will be swung thereby bringing the upper electrodes 20 downward to contact and press the work against the fixed electrodes 18. Movement of said levers 38 will initiate action in the single timer 22 for the system to commence the period of actuation of the primary windings of the transformers 24, whereupon, welding commences. The timer actuation means is not shown, but is well known in the art. After a prescribed interval, which ends soon after the cams have moved to the position where their high points are upwards, the timer will stop functioning and the flow of current will be cut off, at which time, the welding operation is complete. Now the levers 38 will be returned to their start position by action of the stressed springs 52. The

' pitman 59 will be at the end of its movement towards the left when the high point of the cams 43 will be towards the right which is much after the welding has been done and there is, as yet, one-half a revolution for the main shaft 44 to make during which time the rack 57 will move to the right. This will cause the gear 56 to turn in a direction to keep the clutch 55 on, and so doing the last half of this cycle, the nipping rollers 28, 29 will turn and feed the work to the left a prescribed distance which determines the spacing of the transverse wires of the mesh being made. All this time during the cycle, the wire feeding device 79 was feeding wire so at the last phase of the cycle, the cams 124 and 125 will operate their switches 126 and 127 to assume open and closed condition respectively, thereby, opening the clutch 122 and putting the brake 123 on, which completes this cycle, at which time, the rack 57 is back to the right where it started and the cutting blade is at the bushing 66 ready to cut the wire 62 at the commencement of the next cycle of machine operation for the condition of the apparatus 60 will be as shown at II, FIG. 14, at the commencement of the second cycle, where wire 61 has attained one-half of its required length, the wire 62 has attained full length and is ready to be cut by the blade 77, the wire 63 has attained threefourths of its required length, and the wire 64 has attained one-half its required length; all such wires having been increased in length during said first cycle a length equal to onefourth the required length.

It is evident that as the machine continues to operate, the condition at the apparatus 60, as to knife position and lengths of the respective wires, will be as shown in II, FIG. 14 at the end of the said first cycle, as shown in III, FIG. 14 at the end of the second cycle, as shown in IV, FIG. 14 at the end of the third cycle, and as shown at I, FIG. 14 at the end of the fourth cycle and that this sequence will repeat itself for as long as the wire supply lasts.

The said mode of operation of the machine and the incidents of transverse wire manufacture illustrated in FIG. 14 occur regardless of which of the other embodiments 70, 80, or is used in Section A, except that:

a. In the embodiment 70, in place of the clamp forms of em bodiment 60, permanent magnets 69 are used to support the respective wires being fed through the bushings 65-68, so the ejector rods 165, in their movement, merely push the cut wire away from the influence of the row of magnets holding it, whereby, it is released to fall and be guided into the chute, or to be dealt with by other means to timely be sent to welding station.

. In the embodiment 80, instead of the permanent magnets of the embodiment 70, rows of actuated electro-magnets 75 are used to hold the respective wires being fed through the entrance bushings so release of the cut wire is effected by deenergizing the magnets of that row which hold it. For such purpose, the machine will include the shaft 171 driven as shown at the same speed as the blade shaft 118. This shaft 171 carries a cam 170 associated with the fixed group of nomially closed microswitches 178-181, which are equispaced around it; said cam being positioned that it will, for a short time, open that switch which controls the branch containing the row of electro-magnets holding the cut wire. It is evident that one such switch will be opened during an interval in each cycle of machine operation. In all other respects, the embodiments 70 and 80 are alike, but, of course, no ejector rods are included in embodiment 80.

c. As distinguished from the embodiments 60, 70 and 80, wherein the entrance bushings are arranged equispaced in a circle, and the cutting blade is of the rotary type travelling from one bushing to the other, a one-quarter turn per cycle of machine operation, the embodiments 90 and 100, as aforementioned, have their bushings 65'-68 arranged in a horizontal line, preferably equispaced. Instead ofonly one cutting blade, each ofsaid embodiments 90 and 100 have individual punches arranged to cooperate with the respective bushings in the timed relationship and sequence as shown for the single cutter in the FIG. 14. The manner of operation of each of said embodiments 90 and 100 have been set forth herein, except as to the control of the air cylinders I73 and 174 of each row along the clamp forms 7174 shown in FIG. so that the pistons 175 thereof shall effect ejection of the cut wire, which will now be described.

Each of said rows of cylinders is associated with its own control valve 176 which is controlled by an individual solenoid 176. Referring to FIG. 9, which can serve to describe the control circuit for said solenoids of all the rows in FIG. 10, deem each solenoid row to occupy one of the branches of magnets and to be controlled by the microswitch it is in series with in such branch, and that such switches are those as shown in FIG. 8 arranged as shown in association with the cam 170 on shaft 171. Here, the switches 178-l8l would be of the normally open type. It is believed evident that at such times, the respec tive rows of magnets would be deenergized by this system in the embodiment 80, that corresponding rows of cylinders would be actuated in the embodiment 90 as shown in FIG. 10. It is also believed evident that instead of the clamp forms and cylinder-operated ejectors used in FIG. 10, that the system employing the electro-magnets as shown included in the embodiment 80 and its control means of FIGS. 8 and 9, may be used as the holding and ejection means in each of the embodiments 90 and 100.

It may be noted that it is not mandatory, though it is desirable to include the brake 123 in the wire feeding devices 79 and 97. Also, the spacing of the bushings 65'68' to be equidistant along their line in the embodiments 90 and 100, is not mandatory but is preferable and better engineering practice, and especially so for the embodiment 90 for the cam 117 which would become complicated if the steps of the traveling ram had to be made unequal between bushings.

As previously mentioned, the several embodiments shown herein to explain this invention, each deal with the making of four wires which is a number chosen for convenience. In fact, the number of wires may be two or more, each being fed through its own entrance bushing; all bushings being equally spaced where mandatory so things occur in time during each cycle of machine operation. In embodiments like 70 and 80, each bushing will have its associated row of magnets and control means for each row of electro-magnets. In embodiments like 90 and 100, there will be a punch associated with each bushing and independently operated and the cam 117 will have a step of different and appropriate radius for each bushing. If n represents the number of wires to be fed across the wire in the transverse wire-making equipment, and if L represents the length required for a transverse wire 21, then L divided by n is the length of wire fed through each bushing every cycle of machine operation, and the speed of all shafts of the specific embodiments shown herein which is one-fourth the speed of the main shaft 44 will have a speed ofone divided by n.

This invention is capable of numerous forms and various applications without departing from the essential features herein disclosed. It is, therefore, intended and desired that the several embodiments shown herein shall be deemed illustrative and not restrictive.

Iclaim:

1. In an apparatus for making identical transverse wires in an automatic wire mesh making machine of the type comprising means for feeding warp wires, feeding means for feeding a plurality of transverse wires transversely across the warp wires, means for securing the warp and transverse wires at respective intersections, means for advancing the secured wires a predetermined distance, said feeding means comprising a combination of means for feeding said plurality of wires during each cycle simultaneously across the warp wires from individual sources of supply a distance which is equal to a length of a required transverse wire divided by said number, severing means for severing said transverse wires from respective sources after said transverse wires have been fed said distance, said combination of means including holding means for releasably holding each of said fed transverse wires respectively while said wires are transversely fed across the warp wires and until said transverse wires are severed from respective sources of supply, said combination of means presenting passages to support said fed transverse wires respectively and guide them to said holding means respectively, said passages being in alignment with said holding means respectively, means for intermittently stopping operation of said transverse wire feeding means once per cycle for a predetermined interval commencing at the end offeeding said distance, said severing means being adapted to sever said transverse wires in predetermined succession such that one transverse wire is severed per cycle during said interval, and means for releasing the severed wire from the respective holding means such that during said predetermined interval said severed wire is free for movement onto the warp wires to said securing means and as each severed wire is received at said securing means said predetermined interval terminates and the machine commences to complete its next cycle of operation.

2. An apparatus as defined in claim I, wherein the warp wires lie in a plane and said severing means includes elements which are arranged equispaced in a circle which is in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the warp wires and wherein the wire-severing means comprises a constantly driven shaft mounted on the machine; said shaft being positioned so its axis is through the center of said circle and extending along the holding means, and a cutting blade carried on said shaft and extending radially therefrom, adapted in its movement to intercept said wires in succession, one wire during each cycle of machine operation; said blade cooperating with said elements respectively, to sever said wires.

3. An apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein said elements are bushings; said blade being in frictional wiping contact with said bushings respectively when it passes them; such contact being with the ends of said bushings which are nearest the warp.

4. An apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein each of said holding means is a clamp-form which is spring-biased to be normally closed, comprising a fixed jaw on the machine and a movable jaw; said clamps extending across the warp wires; said fed wires being loose in said clamp-forms when positioned therein; said releasing means comprising a plurality of ejector rods extending radially from said shaft; said blade being in advance of said ejector rods so a fed transverse wire is cut first and then met by said ejector rods in the same cycle; all fixed jaws having clearance notches for the ejector rods to pass through, and all movable jaws being arranged that the ejector rods will first pass into said notches and then shift the movable jaws to open; one clamp opening during each cycle ofmachine operation and such opened clamp being the one having a severed fed wire therein.

5. An apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein each holding means is a row of spaced permanent magnets fixed on the machine across the warp wires, and said releasing means comprises a plurality of ejector rods extending radially from said shaft; said blade being in advance of said ejector rods so a fed transverse wire is severed first and then met by said ejector rods in the same cycle of machine operation.

6. An apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein each holding means is a row of spaced electro-magnets fixed on the machine across the warp wires; the magnets of each row being connected to constitute respective branches; said branches being connected in parallel in a circuit which actuates all the branches; the releasing means comprising normally closed switches, one switch interposed in each of said branches; each switch having an operating member which when moved will open the switch it is associated with, a driven shaft mounted on the machine; said switches being fixed so that their operating members are arranged in a circle in equispaced relation and around said shaft, a cam carried by the latter said shaft, adapted to move said operating members in succession, one during each cycle of machine operation,to open the switch it is associated with after the wire is cut which is being held by that row of magnets which constitutes the branch said opened switch is interposed in.

7. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said elements are arranged in a straight line parallel to the warp wires; the wire-severing means comprising punches movably mounted on the machine; the direction of movement of said punches being parallel; one punch being at each of said elements; each punch being spring biased to be normally spaced from the passages offered by said elements respectively, and when moved, each punch will move across the end of the passage it is associated with, which is nearest the associated holding means, thereupon cutting any fed wire lying along said passage and such related holding means, a driven shaft mounted on the machine along said line and spaced from said punches, and cams carried on said shaft, one for each punch respectively, and so arranged as to be adapted to move said punches in succession, one during each cycle of machine operation, starting with the punch at one end of the line until all of the punches have been operated and then beginning again at said one end.

8. An apparatus as defined in claim 7, wherein said elements are bushings; each punch being in frictional wiping contact with its related bushing when passing the latter; such contact being with the end of such bushing which is nearest the related holding means.

9. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said elements are arranged in a straight line parallel to the warp wires; the wire severing means comprising punches movably mounted on the machine, the directions of movement of said punches being parallel; one punch being at each of said'elements; each punch being spring-biased to be normally spaced from the passages offered by said elements respectively, and when moved, each punch will move across the end of the passage it is associated with, which is nearest the associated holding means, thereupon cutting any fed wire lying along said passage and such related holding means, a slide mounted for reciprocating movement on the machine towards and away from the line of the punches, an elongated ram positioned between the slide and said line; one end of said ram being swingably mounted on the slide; the other end of said ram extending towards said line and adapted to be swung adjacent each of said punches respectively, whereupon movement of the slide towards said line, the ram will contact and move the punch it is at across the passage of the related element, means including a cam on a driven shaft mounted on the machine, adapted to swing said ram and hold it during each cycle at one punch, and change the position of the ram as it is at a different punch during each cycle, starting at the punch which is at one end of said line until all the punches have been operated and then beginning again at said one end, and a means to reciprocate the slide first towards and then away from said line, in each cycle.

10. An apparatus as defined in claim 9,-wherein said elements are bushings; each punch being in frictional wiping contact with its related bushing upon passing the latter; such contact being with the end of such bushing which is nearest the related holding means.

11. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein each hold ing means is a row of spaced permanent magnets fixed on the machine across the warp wires.

12. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein each holding means is a row of spaced electro-magnets fixed on the machine across the warp wires; the magnets of each row being connected to constitute respectiye branches; said branches being connected in parallel in a circuit which actuates all the branches; the releasing means comprising normally closed switches, one switch interposed in each of said branches; each switch having an operating member which when moved will open the switch it is associated with, a driven shaft mounted on the machine; said switches being fixed so that their operating members are arranged in a circle in equispaced relation and around said shaft; a cam carried by said shaft last mentioned, adapted to move said operating members in succession, one during each cycle of operation, to open the switch it is associated with after the wire is out which is being held by that row of magnets which constitutes the branch said opened switch is interposed in.

13. An apparatus as defined in claim I, wherein each of said holding means is a clamp-form which is spring biased to be normally closed, comprising a fixed jaw on the machine and a movable jaw; said jaws extending across the warp wires; said fed wires being loose in said clamp-forms when positioned therein; the releasing means comprising a plurality of ejector rods in spaced relation in rows, one such row being along each clamp-form and each of said ejector rods being angularly positioned with respect to the clamp-form it is at; said ejector rods being adapted when moved, to open the clamp each rod is respectively associated with, contact and eject any fed wire which is within such clamp; a plurality of pneumatic cylinders, one for each ejector rod; said ejector rods being the piston rods of the pistons of said cylinders respectively, and means adapted to operate the cylinders which are associated with the holding means, during each cycle of machine operation, which holds a fed wire just severed; such cylinder operation to occur within the cycle said wire was severed, and to consist of a single reciprocation of the pistons associated therewith so the clamp will be opened, and then allowed to close after the cut wire therein is ejected.

14. The method for making identical transverse wires in an automatic wire-mesh-making machine whose cycle of operation consists of receiving one transverse wire which is positioned across the warp wires, onto said warp wires at a predetermined station and there securing said wires at their intersections and then advancing the work a predetermined distance, said method comprising simultaneously feeding a plural number of wires from individual sources of supply an equal amount in one direction across the warp wires during each cycle of machine operation, equal to the length of a required transverse wire divided by said number, holding said fed wires across the warp as they are being fed and until they are severed from their respective sources of supply, stopping the feeding of said fed wires once per cycle of machine operation during a predetermined interval at the end of the feeding of said amount, severing said fed wires in a predetermined succession, one per cycle of machine operation, at a predetermined plane, and then releasing the severed wire from its hold within the same cycle it is severed whereby such released wire is free for movement onto the warp wires for travel to said station. 

1. In an apparatus for making identical transverse wires in an automatic wire mesh making machine of the type comprising means for feeding warp wires, feeding means for feeding a plurality of transverse wires transversely across the warp wires, means for securing the warp and transverse wires at respective intersections, means for advancing the secured wires a predetermined distance, said feeding means comprising a combination of means for feeding said plurality of wires during each cycle simultaneously across the warp wires from individual sources of supply a distance which is equal to a length of a required transverse wire divided by said number, severing means for severing said transverse wires from respective sources after said transverse wires have been fed said distance, said combination of means including holding means for releasably holding each of said fed transverse wires respectively while said wires are transversely fed across the warp wires and until said transverse wires are severed from respective sources of supply, said combination of means presenting passages to support said fed transverse wires respectively and guide them to said holding means respectively, said passages being in alignment with said holding means respectively, means for intermittently stopping operation of said transverse wire feeding means once per cycle for a predetermined interval commencing at the end of feeding said distance, said severing means being adapted to sever said transverse wires in predetermined succession such that one transverse wire is severed per cycle during said interval, and means for releasing the severed wire from the respective holding means such that during said predetermined interval said severed wire is free for movement onto the warp wires to said securing means and as each severed wire is received at said securing means said predetermined interval terminates and the machine commences to complete its next cycle of operation.
 2. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the warp wires lie in a plane and said severing means includes elements which are arranged equispaced in a circle which is in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the warp wires and wherein the wire-severing means comprises a constantly driven shaft mounted on the machine; said shaft being positioned so its axis is through the center of said circle and extending along the holding means, and a cutting blade carried on said shaft and extending radially therefrom, adapted in its movement to intercept said wires in succession, one wire during each cycle of machine operation; said blade cooperating with said elements respectively, to sever said wires.
 3. An apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein said elements are bushings; said blade being in frictional wiping contact with said bushIngs respectively when it passes them; such contact being with the ends of said bushings which are nearest the warp.
 4. An apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein each of said holding means is a clamp-form which is spring-biased to be normally closed, comprising a fixed jaw on the machine and a movable jaw; said clamps extending across the warp wires; said fed wires being loose in said clamp-forms when positioned therein; said releasing means comprising a plurality of ejector rods extending radially from said shaft; said blade being in advance of said ejector rods so a fed transverse wire is cut first and then met by said ejector rods in the same cycle; all fixed jaws having clearance notches for the ejector rods to pass through, and all movable jaws being arranged that the ejector rods will first pass into said notches and then shift the movable jaws to open; one clamp opening during each cycle of machine operation and such opened clamp being the one having a severed fed wire therein.
 5. An apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein each holding means is a row of spaced permanent magnets fixed on the machine across the warp wires, and said releasing means comprises a plurality of ejector rods extending radially from said shaft; said blade being in advance of said ejector rods so a fed transverse wire is severed first and then met by said ejector rods in the same cycle of machine operation.
 6. An apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein each holding means is a row of spaced electro-magnets fixed on the machine across the warp wires; the magnets of each row being connected to constitute respective branches; said branches being connected in parallel in a circuit which actuates all the branches; the releasing means comprising normally closed switches, one switch interposed in each of said branches; each switch having an operating member which when moved will open the switch it is associated with, a driven shaft mounted on the machine; said switches being fixed so that their operating members are arranged in a circle in equispaced relation and around said shaft, a cam carried by the latter said shaft, adapted to move said operating members in succession, one during each cycle of machine operation, to open the switch it is associated with after the wire is cut which is being held by that row of magnets which constitutes the branch said opened switch is interposed in.
 7. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said elements are arranged in a straight line parallel to the warp wires; the wire-severing means comprising punches movably mounted on the machine; the direction of movement of said punches being parallel; one punch being at each of said elements; each punch being spring biased to be normally spaced from the passages offered by said elements respectively, and when moved, each punch will move across the end of the passage it is associated with, which is nearest the associated holding means, thereupon cutting any fed wire lying along said passage and such related holding means, a driven shaft mounted on the machine along said line and spaced from said punches, and cams carried on said shaft, one for each punch respectively, and so arranged as to be adapted to move said punches in succession, one during each cycle of machine operation, starting with the punch at one end of the line until all of the punches have been operated and then beginning again at said one end.
 8. An apparatus as defined in claim 7, wherein said elements are bushings; each punch being in frictional wiping contact with its related bushing when passing the latter; such contact being with the end of such bushing which is nearest the related holding means.
 9. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said elements are arranged in a straight line parallel to the warp wires; the wire severing means comprising punches movably mounted on the machine, the directions of movement of said punches being parallel; one punch being at each of said elements; each punch being spring-biased to be normAlly spaced from the passages offered by said elements respectively, and when moved, each punch will move across the end of the passage it is associated with, which is nearest the associated holding means, thereupon cutting any fed wire lying along said passage and such related holding means, a slide mounted for reciprocating movement on the machine towards and away from the line of the punches, an elongated ram positioned between the slide and said line; one end of said ram being swingably mounted on the slide; the other end of said ram extending towards said line and adapted to be swung adjacent each of said punches respectively, whereupon movement of the slide towards said line, the ram will contact and move the punch it is at across the passage of the related element, means including a cam on a driven shaft mounted on the machine, adapted to swing said ram and hold it during each cycle at one punch, and change the position of the ram as it is at a different punch during each cycle, starting at the punch which is at one end of said line until all the punches have been operated and then beginning again at said one end, and a means to reciprocate the slide first towards and then away from said line, in each cycle.
 10. An apparatus as defined in claim 9, wherein said elements are bushings; each punch being in frictional wiping contact with its related bushing upon passing the latter; such contact being with the end of such bushing which is nearest the related holding means.
 11. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein each holding means is a row of spaced permanent magnets fixed on the machine across the warp wires.
 12. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein each holding means is a row of spaced electro-magnets fixed on the machine across the warp wires; the magnets of each row being connected to constitute respective branches; said branches being connected in parallel in a circuit which actuates all the branches; the releasing means comprising normally closed switches, one switch interposed in each of said branches; each switch having an operating member which when moved will open the switch it is associated with, a driven shaft mounted on the machine; said switches being fixed so that their operating members are arranged in a circle in equispaced relation and around said shaft; a cam carried by said shaft last mentioned, adapted to move said operating members in succession, one during each cycle of operation, to open the switch it is associated with after the wire is cut which is being held by that row of magnets which constitutes the branch said opened switch is interposed in.
 13. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein each of said holding means is a clamp-form which is spring biased to be normally closed, comprising a fixed jaw on the machine and a movable jaw; said jaws extending across the warp wires; said fed wires being loose in said clamp-forms when positioned therein; the releasing means comprising a plurality of ejector rods in spaced relation in rows, one such row being along each clamp-form and each of said ejector rods being angularly positioned with respect to the clamp-form it is at; said ejector rods being adapted when moved, to open the clamp each rod is respectively associated with, contact and eject any fed wire which is within such clamp; a plurality of pneumatic cylinders, one for each ejector rod; said ejector rods being the piston rods of the pistons of said cylinders respectively, and means adapted to operate the cylinders which are associated with the holding means, during each cycle of machine operation, which holds a fed wire just severed; such cylinder operation to occur within the cycle said wire was severed, and to consist of a single reciprocation of the pistons associated therewith so the clamp will be opened, and then allowed to close after the cut wire therein is ejected.
 14. The method for making identical transverse wires in an automatic wire-mesh-making machine whose cycle of operation consists of receiving onE transverse wire which is positioned across the warp wires, onto said warp wires at a predetermined station and there securing said wires at their intersections and then advancing the work a predetermined distance, said method comprising simultaneously feeding a plural number of wires from individual sources of supply an equal amount in one direction across the warp wires during each cycle of machine operation, equal to the length of a required transverse wire divided by said number, holding said fed wires across the warp as they are being fed and until they are severed from their respective sources of supply, stopping the feeding of said fed wires once per cycle of machine operation during a predetermined interval at the end of the feeding of said amount, severing said fed wires in a predetermined succession, one per cycle of machine operation, at a predetermined plane, and then releasing the severed wire from its hold within the same cycle it is severed whereby such released wire is free for movement onto the warp wires for travel to said station. 